Isner and Raonic entered Wednesday night’s quarter-final as the two leading players for aces in the tournament at 135 and 117 respectively. Though Raonic outgunned Isner in that respect – 31 to 25 – he was unable to see through service games as convincingly.

Roanic had only been broken three times this Wimbledon previously but Isner doubled that tally alone to triumph 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3. Isner, the ninth seed, sealed the tie by sending a backhand winner down the line.

The 6ft 10in American beat his Canadian counterpart (pictured) through ruthless returning

The No 1 Court crowd was very sparse given the epic encounter that preceded it and the football going on, but Goran Ivanisevic remained in Roanic’s box throughout, encouraging his charge as his national team fought with England.

Roanic, the 13th seed, required strapping to his right thigh in the first set and had treatment later in the match, but Isner deserved this victory.

He is yet to be broken in this competition and though this is his first Wimbledon semi-final he will be a force.

Isner is yet to be broken at SW19 and plays Kevin Anderson in his first Wimbledon semi-final